What are peoples experiences with New River Academy?

Can't say enough good things about it... Aside from the world-class kayaking, New River Academy has outstanding academics. Basically you are being tutored. Most classes are around a 3-1 student/teacher ratio, and students are able to cover a lot more ground and learn a lot more material then a regular public school.

After graduating out of NRA, I'm now attending University of North Carolina at Asheville. I feel that NRA thoroughly prepped me for the academic challenges facing me in college now.

As far as kayaking, it's the fast-track to becoming a world-class paddler. NRA combines great coaching and the best kayaking locations in the world to train young kayakers.

-Nathan

Hey there,

New River Academy has a very strong program that goes beyond your average school program. I am a teacher at NRA, and I have taught at other private/adventure boarding schools and I think NRA offers much more because of their desire to turn students into leaders. For example, last semester we had the students design an international Logistics Trip, where two or three students and one faculty member sought out a destination in Chile to do some explorations pertaining to individual interests. The group that I was involved with went to a little island off Chile and photographed wildlife, while a couple of other students researched some new rivers. The students learned how to plan their own trips, make reservations, work with locals, study foreign geography, and made a lot of friends that will last for some time.

Some students come to the school for a gap year, and they are able to be a part of a program that teaches the importance of leadership and gives the tools so that students can build, and lead similar trips in the future. New Zealand, and Chile will be great for this next year.

None of this even mentions the incredible rivers that we get to run, tons of playboating, river running, and potential creeking.

Kyle Dinnel

I was a student at NRA for a year and a quarter.

When I was there, I found that the academics of the school more than measured up to the academics at my high school back home. Not only did I learn a lot but I was in small (2-3 person) classes with teachers that cared about me and were invested in helping me succeed.

Of course, one of the main benefits of the school is also getting to travel to amazing places. The travel experiences I had as a high schooler definitely reshaped my perspective and gave me a better understanding of the diverse cultures that exist in our world.

David